Adjustable engine lift

ABSTRACT

An adjustable engine lift adapted for use by mechanics and the like, wherein a means for removing and installing an automobile engine is simplified by being able to adjust engine angle while the engine weight is suspended.

United States Patent Jones et al. 1 Aug. 7, 1973 1 ADJUSTABLE ENGINE LlFT 2,596,502 5/1952 Moore 294/72 A 1 7 [76] In en or Robert L- Jo es, 15 N. 55th; Haro d 2,629,625 2/1953 Phillips -94/78 A H. Jones, 2611 N. 36th, both of Lincoln, Nebr. Primary Examiner-Even C. Blunk Assistant Examiner-Johnny D. Cherry [22] Flled' 1971 AttorneyRobert R. Hinds et al. [21] Appl. No.: 133,071

52 us. Cl. 294/78 A, 294/67 AA, 294/81 R [57] ABSTRACT 2 gi i 22 233 An adjustable engine lift adapted for use by mechanics I 1 le 0 ft Q 5 and the like, wherein a means for removing and installing an automobile engine is simplified by being able to References Cited ggiudsdengme angle while the engine weight 15 sus- UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,412,488 12/1946 Austinm, 294/78 A 7 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 1 ADJUSTABLE ENGINE'LIFT SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A simple lifting device adjustable to various angles while suspending a weight is disclosed for the lifting of automotive engines having upwardly projecting studs,.

on which an engine part such as a carburetor is removably attached. The device comprises a horizontal mounting plate with drilled or punched holes of different rectangular pattern shapes, and on which two upstrongly together by suitable end means. A- hole is drilled in one of the boxed end means to receive a threaded machine screw which has a machined step and shoulder, a thrust washer is used on either side of the boxed end and a collar is fastened to the machine screw by a roll pin, a hole is drilled through the collar to receive a round rod for a handle bent L shaped on one end and a nut is screwed on the other end. A lifting member has a base comprising a base plate of sufficient length and narrow enough to slide between the two upright plates and a nut that threadedly fits the machine screw welded crosswise on the bottom of the base plate. On the top side the base plate has an inverted U- shaped eye welded to it, the eye extending longitudinally and being of sufficient size to receive a hoist. This gives a longitudinally moveable eye which moves back and forth when the screw is turned. The U-shaped eye is guided between theupright plates. The top of the adjustable base plate with the eye contacts the bottom of the bent right angled portions of the upright plates, thus having the necessary strength to lift an engine while also being moveable with the suspended weight. A bolt running through one upright plate and threaded into the other upright plate is used to hold the threaded machine screw up in place on the end opposite the handle end.

Improvements of our engine lift over present day lifting devices are, its means of adjusting engine angle at any time to clear motor mounts, or align the engine to the transmission etc. Since its overall height is low, most engines can be removed or installed without removing the engine hood when a crane type hoist is used. Also our means of adjusting the engine angle is improved over other engine lifting devices because, our means of adjusting is mounted solid to the mounting plate giving our lift more responsive control. Yet it is strong and simple in construction and reasonable in price.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. I shows our engine lift bolted to an intake manifold with an engine hoist installed ready for use. A partial cut away view of one side shows the inner parts.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of certain parts of our invention.

FIG. 3 is an open view of our invention.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of our engine lift showing mounting holes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As shown in detail in FIGS. 1,3 and 4 our engine lift generally designated by the reference numeral 22 comprises a mounting plate 12 of mild steel with drilled or punched holes to fit different intake manifolds, Two T- shaped upright plates of steel 10 and 10. having a portion of the top of the plates bent at a right angle, with angles facing each other are welded secure to the mounting plate 12 to form a rectangular T shaped box forming a longitudinally extending space between the plates 10. Two end plates 21 and 21 are welded between the ends of the T shaped plates 10 to form boxed ends. In FIGS. 1 through 4 a lifting member 1 comprises-a U-shaped eye made of steel that is welded to a flat base plate 2, and a nut with threads that fit the machine screw 4 is welded to the other side of the base 'plate 2. A threaded machine screw 4 of sufficient length having one end machined to make a shoulder and bearing'surface is installed through a hole drilled in one of the end plates 21. A thrust washer 5 is installed on each side of the end plate 21, a collar 7 is fastened to the machine screw 4 by a roll pin 6 and a handle 8 & 9 goes through the collar 7.

FIG. 2 shows the detailed inner parts. No. l, 2 and 3 make up the adjustable lifting member. 4 shows the threaded machine screw. 5 & 5 are the thrust washers, 6 the roll pin, 7- a collar and 8 & 9 the handle.

FIG. 3 shows plates 10 & I0 welded to mounting plate 12. Also it shows the position of bolt 11 supporting the screw 4.

FIG. 4 of the drawing shows the horizontal mounting plate 12 showing 6 sets of punched or drilled holes, holes 20 being elongated to receive two bolt patterns. Holes I6, 18, and 19 are 4 barrel carburetor manifold applications, 17 and 20 are 2 barrel carburetor manifold applications. No. I shows the U shaped eye extending up through the slot between the bent right angles of plates 10 & 10. FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 show a view of base plate 2 making contact with the bottom surface of the bent right angles of plate 10 8t 10. FIG. I shows our adjustable engine lift mounted on an intake manifold 13, held down by nuts 14, with a hoist 15 in place to remove an engine.

,While I have described my invention with particular reference to the drawings, such is not to be considered as limiting its actual scope.

What we claim our invention is: l. A lifter comprising:

a horizontal mounting plate having means for connecting it securely to a heavy object to be lifted; a pair of generally parallel upright plates fixed to the mounting plate and extending upwardly therefrom to fonn between them an elongated space, each said upright plate including a bent portion running longitudinally along its upright plate and extending toward the other upright plate, the bent portions including bottom surfaces facing downwardly into the said space and forming between them an elongated slotted opening from said space;

end means at each end of said space for connecting together the adjacent ends of the upright plates,

a threaded shaft rotatably mounted in said space of the lifter, said shaft extending longitudinally through said space, one end of said shaft extending through one of said end means and having means adapted to be turned to turn the shaft,

and a lifting member having a base threadedly engaged on the threaded shaft for movement along the threaded shaft as the latter is turned, said lifting member further including an eye connected to the base and extending upwardly through the slot and adapted to receive a lifting hook of a hoist, said base of the lifting member further having upper surfaces positioned immediately beneath the said bottom surfaces of the bent portions, such that the load of the weight exerted via the mounting plate and the upright plates on the bent portions is transferred to the lifting member from the bottom surfaces of the bent portions to the said upper surfaces of the base.

2. A lifter according to claim 1, said lifting member base comprising a flat plate, the top of which forms said upper surfaces, and a nut welded to the bottom thereof and threadedly engaged to the shaft.

3. A lifter according to claim 1, said threaded shaft rotatably mounted at its end opposite the said one end in a washer mounted in the end means other than the end means through which the threaded shaft passes.

4. A lifter according to claim 1, said means adapted to turn the shaft includinga collar fixed to the end of the shaft, and a handle in the form of a rod extending through the collar generally perpendicular to the axis of the shaft. t

5. A lifter according to claim 4, including a bolt extending across the said space from one upright plate to the other, said bolt positioned to give some vertical support to the said shaft.

6. A lifter according to claim 4, said means for connecting the mounting plate to a heavy object comprising a plurality of sets of holes passing through the mounting plate, said holes adapted to mate with different sets of holes on difi'erent designs of automobile engines.

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1. A lifter comprising: a horizontal mounting plate having means for connecting it securely to a heavy object to be lifted; a pair of generally parallel upright plates fixed to the mounting plate and extending upwardly therefrom to form between them an elongated space, each said upright plate including a bent portion running longitudinally along its upright plate and extending toward the other upright plate, the bent portions including bottom surfaces facing downwardly into the said space and forming between them an elongated slotted opening from said space; end means at each end of said space for connecting together the adjacent ends of the upright plates, a threaded shaft rotatably mounted in said space of the lifter, said shaft extending longitudinally through said space, one end of said shaft extending through one of said end means and having means adapted to be turned to turn the shaft, and a lifting member having a base threadedly engaged on the threaded shaft for movement along the threaded shaft as the latter is turned, said lifting member further including an eye connected to the base and extending upwardly through the slot and adapted to receive a lifting hook of a hoist, said base of the lifting member further having upper surfaces positioned immediately beneath the said bottom surfaces of the bent portions, such that the load of the weight exerted via the mounting plate and the upright plates on the bent portions is transferred to the lifting member from the bottom surfaces of the bent portions to the said upper surfaces of the base.
 2. A lifter according to claim 1, said lifting member base comprising a flat plate, the top of which forms said upper surfaces, and a nut welded to the bottom thereof and threadedly engaged to the shaft.
 3. A lifter according to claim 1, said threaded shaft rotatably mounted at its end opposite the said one end in a washer mounted in the end means other than the end means through which the threaded shaft passes.
 4. A lifter according to claim 1, said means adapted to turn the shaft including a collar fixed to the end of the shaft, and a handle in the form of a rod extending through the collar generally perpendicular to the axis of the shaft.
 5. A lifter according to claim 4, including a bolt extending across the said space from one upright plate to the other, said bolt positioned to give some vertical support to the said shaft.
 6. A lifter according to claim 4, said means for connecting the mounting plate to a heavy object comprising a plurality of sets of holes passing through the mounting plate, said holes adapted to mate with different sets of holes on different designs of automobile engines.
 7. A lifter according to claim 6, said upright plates being T-shaped when viewed in side elevation, the tops of the T parts extending outwardly beyond the edges of the mounting plate. 